For rifles I think a lot of it has to do with how famaliar you are with your rifle and the load that you will be using. Some hunters have used the same gun and load combination for countless years and know more about that particular set up than most hunters will ever know about their latest super magnum they just bought. These people have an " intimate relationship" with their rifles and know exactly where that bullet is going when the trigger is pulled.

On the other end of the spectrum are the people that have to have or try something new every year and these people, IMO, need to practice months in advance of hunting season.

Most hunters fall somewhere in the middle. They practice off and on (which is what I tend to do) during the off season to keep their skills up with their rifle that a " crunch" practice session is certainly not needed.


Bow hunting is another story IMO. I like to practice all year long and to keep my bow in tune through out the year. While I don' t shoot in leagues or anything like that I do shoot in the back yard and at the local pro shop. There is a lot of muscle developement and a lot of muscle memory that comes into play with the bow and arrow and if that fades away because you didn' t practice enough then your accuracy will suffer. There is a lot of confidence in yourself and your equipment with a bow and arrow and IMO one can never practice enough. I always feel like I didn' t practice enough even when I shoot every day for two months before the season starts and once or twice a week the rest of the year.